The Mothers’ and Young People’s Study (MYPS)
The Mothers’ and Young People’s Study (formerly known as Maternal Health Study) is a multi-wave, prospective cohort study investigating the health and well-being of over 1500 first-time mothers and their firstborn children. Women were recruited to the study from six Melbourne metropolitan hospitals between 2003-2005.In the early years of the study the main focus was on women’s health and recovery after childbirth. Women taking part in the study completed questionnaires and telephone interviews in early and late pregnancy, and at three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months postpartum, and when their first child was four and ten years of age. Over 800 women in the study have also been followed up after second and subsequent births.
Data have been collected on common maternal physical and psychological health problems, including incontinence, sexual health problems, depression, anxiety and intimate partner abuse, and on a range of child health and developmental outcomes. We have also collected information regarding the social context of women and children, and changing life circumstances as the children grow up.
In 2022, we will be commencing follow-up of mothers and young people as the study children turn 18 years old.
The study aims to improve understanding of social and obstetric factors influencing maternal and child health. The information collected is being used to inform policy and practice in maternity care, early childhood services and primary health care.
| Study Summary | |
|---|---|
| Study name | The Mothers’ and Young People’s Study |
| Study abbreviation | MYPS |
| Current principal investigator/s |
Stephanie Brown |
| Current project manager |
Deirdre Gartland |
| Primary Institution/s |
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute - MCRI
|
| Collaborating Institution/s |
The University of Melbourne - UoM
Judith Lumley Centre University of Birmingham |
| Major funding source/s |
National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
VicHealth Public Health Research Fellowship Medical Research and Technology in Victoria Fund William Buckland Foundation La Trobe University |
| Study website | https://www.mcri.edu.au/research/projects/maternal-health-study |
| Key reference for study | Brown, S. J., Gartland, D., Woolhouse, H., Giallo, R., McDonald, E., Seymour, M., … & Mensah, F. (2021). The maternal health study: Study design update for a prospective cohort of first‐time mothers and their firstborn children from birth to age ten. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12757. |
| Study focus |
Women’s physical and psychological health and recovery after childbirth |
| Sampling frame |
Prospective pregnancy cohort of >1500 nulliparous women recruited in early pregnancy at six metropolitan public hospitals in Melbourne (April 2003 – December 2005) |
| Primary study type | Longitudinal cohort |
| Primary participant (at recruitment) | Mother |
| Year commenced |
2003 |
| Is this study ongoing? | Yes - the study is ongoing |
| Ongoing recruitment? | No |
| Sample size (N) |
1507 mothers |
| Survey data available? | Yes |
| Imaging data available? | No |
| Linkage to administrative dataset/s? | No, no consent to link to administrative dataset(s) obtained |
| Biosamples available? | No |
| Are data available to others outside study team, with appropriate safeguards and structures in line with the cohort’s ethics and governance processes? | Yes |
| Are there any costs associated with data/sample access for approved requests? | There are usually no costs associated with access |
| Broadest type of participant consent available |
Specific consent (can be used for this project only) |
| Wave | Year | Age | Sample size (N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-2005 | 10-20 weeks gestation | N(Total)=1507 |
| 2 | 2003-2005 | 30-32 weeks gestation | N(Total)=1454 |
| 2a | 2003-2006 | Birth records abstraction | N(Total)=1454 |
| 3 | 2004-2007 | 3 months postpartum | N(Total)=1431 |
| 4 | 2004-2007 | 6 months postpartum | N(Total)=1400 |
| 5 | 2004-2007 | 9 months postpartum | N(Total)=1387 |
| 6 | 2004-2006 | 12 months postpartum | N(Total)=1357 |
| 7 | 2005-2008 | 18 months postpartum | N(Total)=1327 |
| 8/11/13 | 2005 | 6 months postpartum (2nd/3rd/4th) | 840 (second child) 214 (third child) 29 (fourth child) |
| 9/12/14 | 2006 | 12 months postpartum (2nd/3rd/4th) | 840 (second child) 222 (third child) 32 (fourth child) |
| 10 | 2008-2011 | 4 years postpartum | N(Total)=1102 |
| 15 | 2013 | 10 years postpartum | 952 mother (questionnaire completed) |
| 15a | 2013 | 10 years postpartum | 615 mother-child pairs (site assessment) |
| 15b | 2020-Ongoing | 14 years postpartum | IN PROGRESS |
2022
FitzPatrick KM, Brown S, Hegarty K, Mensah F, Gartland D. (2022). Visualising Patterns in Women’s Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence in the First 10 years of Motherhood Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(3-4), 3055 - 3087. DOI: 10.1177/08862605221104518
Gartland D, Hegarty K, Papadopoullos S, Brown S. (2022). Patterns of health service utilisation of mothers experiencing mental health problems and intimate partner violence: Ten-year follow-up of an Australian prospective mother and child cohort PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0269626. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269626
Savopoulos P, Brown S, Anderson PJ, Gartland D, Bryant C, Giallo R. (2022). Intimate partner violence during infancy and cognitive outcomes in middle childhood: Results from an Australian community‐based mother and child cohort study Child Development, 93(4), e396 - e411. DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13736
2021
Brown SJ, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Giallo R, McDonald E, Seymour M, Conway L, FitzPatrick KM, Cook F, Papadopoullos S, MacArthur C, Hegarty K, Herrman H, Nicholson JM, Hiscock H, Mensah F. (2021). The maternal health study: Study design update for a prospective cohort of first‐time mothers and their firstborn children from birth to age ten Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 35(5), 612 - 625. DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12757
Fogarty A, Giallo R, Gartland D, Mensah F, Brown S. (2021). Mothers’ and Young People’s Study Policy Brief #3: Young people’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. .
Fogarty A, Giallo R, Gartland D, Mensah F, Brown S. (2021). Mothers’ and Young People’s Study Policy Brief #4: Young people’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic .
2020
Brown SJ, Conway LJ, FitzPatrick KM, Hegarty K, Mensah FK, Papadopoullos S, Woolhouse H, Giallo R, Gartland D. (2020). Physical and mental health of women exposed to intimate partner violence in the 10 years after having their first child: an Australian prospective cohort study of first-time mothers BMJ Open, 10(12), e040891. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040891
Cook F, Conway LJ, Giallo R, Gartland D, Sciberras E, Brown S. (2020). Infant sleep and child mental health: a longitudinal investigation Archives of Disease in Childhood, 105(7), 655 - 660. DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-318014
FitzPatrick KM, Brown S, Hegarty K, Mensah F, Gartland D. (2020). Physical and Emotional Intimate Partner Violence and Women’s Health in the First Year After Childbirth: An Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(3-4), np2147 - np2176. DOI: 10.1177/0886260520934426
2019
Brown SJ, Mensah F, Giallo R, Woolhouse H, Hegarty K, Nicholson JM, Gartland D. (2019). Intimate partner violence and maternal mental health ten years after a first birth: An Australian prospective cohort study of first-time mothers Journal of Affective Disorders, 262, 247 - 257. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.015
Fogarty A, Woolhouse H, Giallo R, Wood C, Kaufman J, Brown S. (2019). Promoting resilience and wellbeing in children exposed to intimate partner violence: A qualitative study with mothers Child Abuse & Neglect, 95, 104039. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104039
Gartland D, Giallo R, Woolhouse H, Mensah F, Brown SJ. (2019). Intergenerational Impacts of Family Violence - Mothers and Children in a Large Prospective Pregnancy Cohort Study EClinicalMedicine, 15, 51 - 61. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.08.008
Navodani T, Gartland D, Brown SJ, Riggs E, Yelland J. (2019). Common maternal health problems among Australian-born and migrant women: A prospective cohort study PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0211685. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211685
Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Papadopoullos S, Mensah F, Hegarty K, Giallo R, Brown S. (2019). Psychotropic medication use and intimate partner violence at 4 years postpartum: Results from an Australian pregnancy cohort study Journal of Affective Disorders, 251, 71 - 77. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.01.052
2018
McDonald EA, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Brown SJ. (2018). Resumption of sex after a second birth: An Australian prospective cohort Birth, 46(1), 173 - 181. DOI: 10.1111/birt.12363
2017
Giallo R, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Mensah F, Westrupp E, Nicholson J, Brown S. (2017). Emotional–behavioral resilience among children of first-time mothers with and without depression across the early childhood period International Journal of Behavioral Development, 42(2), 214 - 224. DOI: 10.1177/0165025416687413
Giallo R, Pilkington P, McDonald E, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Brown S. (2017). Physical, sexual and social health factors associated with the trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 4 years postpartum Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 52(7), 815 - 828. DOI: 10.1007/s00127-017-1387-8
McDonald E, Woolhouse H, Brown SJ. (2017). Sexual pleasure and emotional satisfaction in the first 18 months after childbirth Midwifery, 55, 60 - 66. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.002
2016
Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Giallo R, McDonald E, Hegarty K, Mensah F, Herrman H, Brown SJ. (2016). Vulnerability to intimate partner violence and poor mental health in the first 4-year postpartum among mothers reporting childhood abuse: an Australian pregnancy cohort study Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19(6), 1091 - 1100. DOI: 10.1007/s00737-016-0659-8
McDonald EA, Gartland D, Small R, Brown SJ. (2016). Frequency, severity and persistence of postnatal dyspareunia to 18 months post partum: A cohort study Midwifery, 34, 15 - 20. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.01.012
Woolhouse H, James J, Gartland D, McDonald E, Brown SJ. (2016). Maternal depressive symptoms at three months postpartum and breastfeeding rates at six months postpartum: Implications for primary care in a prospective cohort study of primiparous women in Australia Women and Birth, 29(4), 381 - 387. DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2016.05.008
2015
Brown S, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Giallo R. (2015). Maternal Health Study Policy Brief No. 2: Health consequences of family violence .
Gartland D, MacArthur C, Woolhouse H, McDonald E, Brown SJ. (2015). Frequency, severity and risk factors for urinary and faecal incontinence at 4 years postpartum: a prospective cohort BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 123(7), 1203 - 1211. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13522
Giallo R, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Brown S. (2015). “I didn’t know it was possible to feel that tired”: exploring the complex bidirectional associations between maternal depressive symptoms and fatigue in a prospective pregnancy cohort study Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19(1), 25 - 34. DOI: 10.1007/s00737-014-0494-8
Giallo R, Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Hiscock H, Brown S. (2015). The emotional–behavioural functioning of children exposed to maternal depressive symptoms across pregnancy and early childhood: a prospective Australian pregnancy cohort study European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(10), 1233 - 1244. DOI: 10.1007/s00787-014-0672-2
McDonald E, Gartland D, Small R, Brown S. (2015). Dyspareunia and childbirth: a prospective cohort study BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 122(5), 672 - 679. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13263
McDonald E, Woolhouse H, Brown SJ. (2015). Consultation about Sexual Health Issues in the Year after Childbirth: A Cohort Study Birth, 42(4), 354 - 361. DOI: 10.1111/birt.12193
McDonald EA, Gartland D, Small R, Brown SJ. (2015). Dyspareunia and Childbirth Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 70(5), 319 - 320. DOI: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000466340.51108.12
Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Mensah F, Giallo R, Brown S. (2015). Maternal depression from pregnancy to 4 years postpartum and emotional/behavioural difficulties in children: results from a prospective pregnancy cohort study Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19(1), 141 - 151. DOI: 10.1007/s00737-015-0562-8
Woolhouse H, Small R, Miller K, Brown SJ. (2015). Frequency of “Time for Self” Is a Significant Predictor of Postnatal Depressive Symptoms: Results from a Prospective Pregnancy Cohort Study Birth, 43(1), 58 - 67. DOI: 10.1111/birt.12210
2014
Brown S, Gartland D, Perlen S, McDonald E, MacArthur C. (2014). Consultation about urinary and faecal incontinence in the year after childbirth: a cohort study BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 122(7), 954 - 962. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12963
Brown S, Woolhouse H. (2014). Maternal Health Study Policy Brief No. 1: Maternal depression .
Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Mensah FK, Hegarty K, Hiscock H, Brown SJ. (2014). The Case for Early Intervention to Reduce the Impact of Intimate Partner Abuse on Child Outcomes: Results of an Australian Cohort of First‐Time Mothers Birth, 41(4), 374 - 383. DOI: 10.1111/birt.12123
Giallo R, Gartland D, Woolhouse H, Brown S. (2014). Differentiating maternal fatigue and depressive symptoms at six months and four years post partum: Considerations for assessment, diagnosis and intervention Midwifery, 31(2), 316 - 322. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2014.09.005
Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Mensah F, Brown S. (2014). Maternal depression from early pregnancy to 4 years postpartum in a prospective pregnancy cohort study: implications for primary health care BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 122(3), 312 - 321. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12837
2013
McDonald E, Brown S. (2013). Does method of birth make a difference to when women resume sex after childbirth? BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 120(7), 823 - 830. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12166
Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Perlen S, Donath S, Brown SJ. (2013). Physical health after childbirth and maternal depression in the first 12 months post partum: Results of an Australian nulliparous pregnancy cohort study Midwifery, 30(3), 378 - 384. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2013.03.006
Woolhouse H, McDonald E, Brown SJ. (2013). Changes to sexual and intimate relationships in the postnatal period: women’s experiences with health professionals Australian Journal of Primary Health, 20(3), 298 - 304. DOI: 10.1071/py13001
2012
Brown SJ, Gartland D, Donath S, MacArthur C. (2012). Fecal Incontinence During the First 12 Months Postpartum Obstetrics and Gynecology, 119(2, Part 1), 240 - 249. DOI: 10.1097/aog.0b013e318242b1f7
Gartland D, Donath S, MacArthur C, Brown S. (2012). The onset, recurrence and associated obstetric risk factors for urinary incontinence in the first 18 months after a first birth: an Australian nulliparous cohort study BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 119(11), 1361 - 1369. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03437.x
Perlen S, Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Brown SJ. (2012). Maternal depression and physical health problems in early pregnancy: Findings of an Australian nulliparous pregnancy cohort study Midwifery, 29(3), 233 - 239. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2012.01.005
Woolhouse H, McDonald E, Brown S. (2012). Women’s experiences of sex and intimacy after childbirth: making the adjustment to motherhood Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 33(4), 185 - 190. DOI: 10.3109/0167482x.2012.720314
Woolhouse H, Perlen S, Gartland D, Brown SJ. (2012). Physical Health and Recovery in the First 18 Months Postpartum: Does Cesarean Section Reduce Long‐Term Morbidity? Birth, 39(3), 221 - 229. DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536x.2012.00551.x
2011
Brown S, Gartland D, Donath S, MacArthur C. (2011). Effects of prolonged second stage, method of birth, timing of caesarean section and other obstetric risk factors on postnatal urinary incontinence: an Australian nulliparous cohort study BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 118(8), 991 - 1000. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02928.x
Gartland D, Lansakara N, Flood M, Brown SJ. (2011). Assessing obstetric risk factors for maternal morbidity: congruity between medical records and mothers' reports of obstetric exposures American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 206(2), 152.e1 - 152.e10. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.10.863
Woolhouse H, Gartland D, Hegarty K, Donath S, Brown S. (2011). Depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence in the 12 months after childbirth: a prospective pregnancy cohort study BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 119(3), 315 - 323. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03219.x
2010
GARTLAND D, BROWN S, DONATH S, PERLEN S. (2010). Women’s health in early pregnancy: Findings from an Australian nulliparous cohort study Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 50(5), 413 - 418. DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2010.01204.x
Gartland D, Hemphill SA, Hegarty K, Brown SJ. (2010). Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy and the First Year Postpartum in an Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15(5), 570 - 578. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-010-0638-z
Yelland J, Sutherland G, Brown SJ. (2010). Postpartum anxiety, depression and social health: findings from a population-based survey of Australian women BMC Public Health, 10(1), 771. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-771
2009
Brown SJ, Donath S, MacArthur C, McDonald EA, Krastev AH. (2009). Urinary incontinence in nulliparous women before and during pregnancy: prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors International Urogynecology Journal, 21(2), 193 - 202. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-009-1011-x
Lansakara N, Brown SJ, Gartland D. (2009). Birth Outcomes, Postpartum Health and Primary Care Contacts of Immigrant Mothers in an Australian Nulliparous Pregnancy Cohort Study Maternal and Child Health Journal, 14(5), 807 - 816. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-009-0514-x
Woolhouse H, Brown S, Krastev A, Perlen S, Gunn J. (2009). Seeking help for anxiety and depression after childbirth: results of the Maternal Health Study Archives of Women's Mental Health, 12(2), 75 - 83. DOI: 10.1007/s00737-009-0049-6
2008
Brown SJ, McDonald EA, Krastev AH. (2008). Fear of an Intimate Partner and Women’s Health in Early Pregnancy: Findings from the Maternal Health Study Birth, 35(4), 293 - 302. DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536x.2008.00256.x
2006
Brown SJ, Lumley JM, McDonald EA, Krastev AH, collaboration with the Maternal Health Study collaborative group . (2006). Maternal health study: a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women recruited in early pregnancy BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 6(1), 12. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-6-12
| Study Contacts | |
|---|---|
| Principal investigator/s |
Stephanie Brown |
| Project manager |
Deirdre Gartland |
| Study Contact |
Email: myps@mcri.edu.au |